Damaged roads in city under repair, PWD tells court

The Public Works Department (PWD) has informed the Kerala High Court that direction has been given to the contractor to carry out repair works on the Edappally-BTS Road and Vennala -Arakkakkadavu-Edapally Road.

The department also told the court that arrangements had been made for resurfacing works from Palarivattom to Manakkakadavu stretch on the civil lane Thrikkakara station road at a total length of 10.2 km for a total estimate of10.79 crore. The works would start immediately after the monsoon.

The affidavit also pointed out that the Ernakulam-Ettumanoor road was being maintained by the PWD in proper conditions till it was dug up by the Kerala Water Authority for laying drinking water pipeline. An stretch of 3.5 km from SN junction to Kurikkad was cut open for pipeline works. The estimated cost for the restoration of the roads came to Rs 3.65 crore. The authority had remitted only Rs 1.75 and balance of Rs. 1.90 was yet to be paid. The restoration works had begun and would be completed immediately.

The PWD made these submissions in an affidavit filed in response to a petition filed by Shine Joseph of Thattampadi and M. K. Pratheesh of Koonammavu against the failure of the government to repair roads in various parts of the State.

The affidavit added that Rs 5.15 crore had been earmarked for resurfacing of Vyppin-Pallippuram road at a length of 19.5 km. The work was handed over to a contractor.

The affidavit said that Kumbalam -Aroor and Kumbalam-Panangad bridges and their approach roads were maintained by the National Highway Authority of India. Likwise, the stretch in Vyttila junction was also under the direct control of NHAI. Besides, the Angamaly - Edappally-Aroor (Kochi bypass) road was also under the control of NHAI. Therefore, it was for the NHAI to repair these roads.